MHA to state govts: Task SP-level officer with security for rally

The Union Home Ministry sent a fresh set of guidelines to all Maoist violence-affected states Monday,instructing them that no less than a SP-level officer shall issue written orders on security for political rallies and convoys.

Written by Express News Service | New Delhi |
Published: May 28, 2013 1:56 am

The Union Home Ministry sent a fresh set of guidelines to all Maoist violence-affected states Monday,instructing them that no less than a SP-level officer shall issue written orders on security for political rallies and convoys.

The decision to issue fresh guidelines comes in the wake of reports following the killing of top Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh Saturday that there was no route sanitisation by security forces and the security was left to the local police station with no or little coordination by senior officers of DIG or SP-level at the police headquarters.

Such indiscriminate killing of innocent political workers is a new development which needs to be addressed on priority. In many ways,it betrays the anti-democratic ethos of Maoist insurgency. It also indicates that they are ready to unleash mindless violence to prevent democratic process from reaching area which they dominate (sic), the MHA has said in its advisory.

In its directions to left wing extremism-hit areas of Chhattisgarh,Jharkhand,Orissa,Maharashtra,UP and West Bengal,the MHA advised,a nodal officer be appointed at the police headquarters to coordinate the programmes of all political parties. He should also coordinate with the field formations on security related matters including security arrangements for rallies,protection along route,enhanced security for persons with high threat perceptions.

In all such political rallies,SP should issue written orders on all aspects of security plan,conduct rehearsals. The DIG/IG ranges should act similarly when programmes cuts across districts. The level of mainstream political activities in these states will increase due to impending elections in LWE (left wing extremism) states. There is continuing possibility of more attacks on political personalities and programmes, it added.